Button-hole shield and latch for carriage-curtains



(N0 ModeL J. M. MAST. BUTTON HOLE SHIELD AND LATCH FOROARRIAGE OURTAINS.

No. 430,348. Patented June 17, 1890.

INVENTOP:

JUM I ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES: W/Qwz UNITED STATE JOHN M. MAST, OF CAMBRIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUTTON-HOLE SHIELD AND LA TQH FOR CARRIAG E-CU RTAlN-S.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,348, dated June 17, 1890.

Application filed November 25, 1889- Serial No. 331,452. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. MAST, of Cambridge, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Button-Hole Shields and Latches for Carriage-Ourtains, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved button-hole shield and latch for carriage-curtains, and has for its object to provide a device which will tend to re-enforce the button-hole and form a latch capable of retaining the curtain upon the buttons, and also to so construct the device that it will not rot or otherwise damage the curtains by retaining moisture.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts,

as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the applied device, illustrating it as in position to lock the curtain to the button, the latter being in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line at x of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device applied to a curtain. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the device so applied, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device detached.

The device consists of a single piece of spring-wire bent to shape, so that one end of the wire 10 may be rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the inner face of the curtain 11 at one side of the button-hole 12 near the bottom of the said button-hole, as shown in Fig. 4. The wire is then carried downward to extend beneath the lower portion of the button-hole and upward over the same, to form essentially the letter C, as shown in the said figure. Above the buttonhole the wire passes through the curtain to the front, as illustrated at a, and assumes an oval shape upon the outer face of the curtain around the button-hole, as shown at A in Figs. 1 and 2. The wire at the sides of the oval is bent outward or bowed, as illustrated at 13 in Fig. 3, whereby a space is obtained between the curtain and the said intermediate sections of the wire. When the wire, in forming the outer or oval frame A contacts with that portion passed through the inner to the outer side, it is carried at a right angle from one side of the oval A, as illustrated at 14 in Fig. 5, and bent upon itself to form a loop, the lower section of the loop being passed beneath the body sections 13 of the oval frame and out beyond the opposite side to form a handle 15. That portion of the bow-section of the wire 14 between the mem bers of the oval frame is curved downward, as illustrated at 16 in Fig. 3, which curved or concave portion crosses the button-hole. The sections 14, 15, and 16 of the wire form, essentially, a spring-latch. The front and rear sections of the wire are secured to one another and to the curtain by means of suitable staples 17.

In operation, when the button 18 is passed through the button-hole of the curtain, the latch is pushed upward, and after the head of the button has been forced through the button-hole the latch is released, whereupon contacts with the neck of the button to the rear of the head, effectually binding the curtain thereto.

It will be observed that by reason of the skeleton frame employed in the construction of the device there is but little danger of the cloth or material from which the curtain is made being rotted or otherwisedestroyed by the rusting of the device, as it is preferably made of brass wire japanned, or by the retention of moisture; and it will also be observed that the frame of the device constitutes in a great measure a guard or shield for the button-hole. The device is constructed complete before being placed upon the curtain, and it is necessary only to produce a small hole in the curtain to introduce one member of the device, whereupon the device may be manipulated until brought to place.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. As a new article of manufacture, a combined button-hole shield and latch for carthe curved or convex portion 16 of the latch the button-hole, an outer essentially oval section surrounding the button-hole, and a latch integral with the oval section projected at a right angle therefrom, one member of the latch being carried transversely over the button-hole, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN M. MAST.

Vitnesses:

J. B. ANDES, JESSE I. DAUliI AN. 

